The appointment of the IEBC selection panel faces further delays following a new legal challenge against the Political Parties Disputes Tribunal’s ruling, which confirmed Augustus Kyalo Muli as the legitimate representative of small parties in the IEBC Selection Panel. The case, filed by Ambassador Dr. Koki Muli, is set to be mentioned before Lady Justice Janet Mulwa on Thursday, September 26. Meanwhile, Augustus Kyalo Muli has indicated that his party, the National Liberal Party (NLP), will lead 15 small parties in breaking ties with Azimio la Umoja.
It has been over two months since President William Ruto signed the IEBC Bill into law, paving the way for the full reconstitution of the electoral body through the appointment of commissioners and a chairperson ahead of the 2027 general elections.
However, the nomination process for the IEBC Selection Panel, which is tasked with recruiting the commissioners, has been thrown into disarray following Ambassador Koki Muli’s appeal against the tribunal’s ruling.
In her appeal, Dr. Koki Muli contends that the Political Parties Disputes Tribunal denied her the right to be heard and argues that the tribunal overstepped its authority by taking up the matter. She further claims that the tribunal failed to adhere to the two-thirds gender rule and usurped Azimio’s role in selecting its nominee to the IEBC Selection Panel, instead appointing an individual she considers a “stranger” to represent Azimio’s interests.
This controversy surrounding the nomination process comes just a week after National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula urged the swift reconstitution of the IEBC to ensure readiness for the next general elections.
Dr Koki Muli , who is former Kenya’s Ambassador to the UN, has in the past failed to clinch IEBC Commissioners job three times.
